My wooden deck is falling apart and I am considering tearing it all down and putting in a multi-tier brick patio, built in fireplace, grill, etc. Anyone done this? Any other materials you may recommend instead of brick? thanks,

 

I put a paver patio in under my deck. I have a walkout basement with the wood deck on the back of the house and the paver patio underneath. I used 12x12 pavers, they are big and heavy but get the job done faster, makes a nice two tier setup for relatively cheap.

 

STAMPED CONCRETE>*

 

If you plan on staying, stick with brick pavers and/or quality stone work - you won't regret it. Personally, I hate wood decks (had one) and the maintenance sux and the fake wood (trex) looks chintzy.

Haven't done the outdoor fire place/built ins yet - am considering it, but am hesitating because wifey doesn't think we'll use it often enough.

 

Trex > *

Sorry Fibi, but it doesn't look chintzy IMHO.

 

Why would you want pavers where stuff can grow thru and corrode from moisture underneath over concrete? Trex is not chintzy either....

 

for longevity, ease of maintainence, weed control, erosion and heaving control, and overall appearance, NOTHING beats stamped / stained concrete.

the options for style and color are virtually endless and youll never have to replace or repair a thing. It will last for the life of the home and beyond.

 

i've seen brick patios, pretty cool

 

You shouldn't get anything growing through pavers, if you have done the prep work properly, I haven't gotten anything. Its a good choice for the price, the stamped concrete looks real nice, just real expensive. Mine was done just to get rid of the grass under the deck, but for a "main" patio, if you got the money, the concrete will probably look the best overall.

 

Personally, I'm pro Slate/Flagstone, but I don't really know what the up-keep is on it. I have brick pavers myself and if you prep properly, nothing grows through it and it won't decay.





And in certain instances, I actually like the look of grass/moss growing between the large slate sections.

 

Nothing looks nicer than a cedar deck

 

ceder decks are nice (that's what I have), but the maintenance is a major PIA. I have really neglected the deck these past few years and I think the best thing for me is to do something that's more managable.

 

I just built this a few weeks ago using 16x16 stones you can get at Wal-mart, home depot, Lowes etc. I bought 4x6's to make the frame, all sides have two 4x6's stacked then anchored with rebar. Crush and run was used build up the base then packed down. Next laid the stones, leveled and i'm in the process now of sweeping play sand into any cracks between the stones. That thing on the back that looks like a grill is a chimnea.

 

Dude, how do you post a new thread about something else before giving us pics of your backsplash?!

 

I tore my deck out and am planning on putting in paver's. I had a cedar deck and it was old and it was a lot of maintenance. Ive put in a few patios and paver walkways before and its not that hard. Key is to getting the base right and it will last.

This was one of the walk ways i did for my cottage (that i had pics of)

 

damn you got a sick memory. I'm waiting on painting and that kind of stuff before I post those pics up... still need to finish up some odds and ends...